Unwinding device.



C. RYDEN.

unwmnme 1mm.

APPLICATION FILED OCT 23, 1909. 981,950. Patented Jan. 17, 1911.

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Pater used Jan. 17, 1911.

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G. RYDEN.

UNWI'NDING DEVICE. Arrmonron FILED 0012 as, i9o9.

981,950. PatentedJan.17,1911.

4 BHEETS SHEET 3.

G. RYDEN.

UNWINDING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED 0012a, 1909.

981,950. Patented Jan. 17,1911.

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CLAES RYDEN, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR TO UNIVERSAL WINDINGCOMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

UNWINDING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 23,, 1909.

Patented Jan. 17, 1911.

Serial No. 524,196.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLAES RYDEN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Providence, in the county of Providence and State of RhodeIsland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in UnwindingDevices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to devices for controlling the unwinding of yarn orthread from reels, spools or other supply-holders in delivering the sameto winding or similar machines.

My improvement consists in providing means for automatically startingthe rotation of the supply-holder without strain on the yarn and forcontrolling its speed of rotation according to the draft on the yarn toprevent a too free delivery or overrunning.

My invention is fully described in the fol lowing specification,illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a side elevation of my 1111- proved device shown as appliedto a winding machine and arranged to deliver yarn fro-1n the skein heldon a reel or swift above the machine; Fig. 2, an enlarged detail view ofthe essential elements of the controlling mechanism; Fig. 3, a frontelevation of the device showing the skein-holding reel in position fordelivering the yarn; Figs. 4 and 5, views showing modifications in thearrangement of the controlling device.

In Fig. 1 the winding machine is represented at A and consists of amechanism for winding filling bobbins or shuttle cops for use in loomshuttles. The bobbin 6 is wound on a rotating spindle 0 with the coilsof yarn laid by a thread-guide cl traversed by a reciprocating bar 0.The bar a is connected by the link 7 to an oscillating lever g which isoscillated by a rock-shaft it. The winding spindle is rotated from adrive-shaft 2' through the skew-gears j and 7c. The winding machine hereshown is of a type previously disclosed in the art and forms no part ofthe present invention, being described only to show the mode ofoperation of the new mechanism in relation thereto. Moreover, thepresent invention is not limited to use in connection with this form ofmachine as it might be applied to various styles of winding machines orto other teX- tile devices to which a supply of yarn is to be delivered.

In machines of the particular form here shown the winding spindles aregenerally arranged in multiple, projecting from the sides of the frame aand my new device is usually applied with the supply-holders carried inbrackets supported on the machine frame above the spindles. One supplyholder is required for each winding spindle and these could also be heldbelow the machine, according as best suits the convenience of theoperators. I have preferred to show the supplies arranged overhead andadapted to deliver the yarn from skeins held on the rotatable reels orswifts O, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3. I

In Fig. 1 the A-shaped bracket L is secured to the *frame a of themachine and a suitable number of these brackets is used along the lengthof the frame to support a horizontal square rod or bar Z held in pocketsat the top of the brackets. The bar Z serves as a means for supportingthe arms M-M, etc., which carry the bearings for the supply- .holders,and preferably these arms are secured to the bar in pairs. At the lowerends of the arms M are bearing faces m, see Fig. 2, with shoulders mwhich abut the sides and top of the bar Z and the lug m on one armcontacts with a similar lug on the opposite arm. This arrangementprovides for clamping the two arms together to bind on the bar 6 bymeans of the bolt 12, see Fig. 1.

At their upper ends the arms M are formed with sockets m adapted toreceive the pivots on which the supply-holders rotate. These sockets arepreferably formed with flaring mouths and guide-ways for di--supply-holder I have preferred to show inthe drawings, is of usualconstruction having a hub 0 and spokes 00 radiating therefrom andarranged in pairs, see Fig. 3. The outer ends of the spokes of each pairare connected by bands 0 on which the skein S is held. Projecting fromeither end of the hub of the reel are pivot pins 70, 79 adapted to thesockets m and serving as trunnions to support the reel 0 rotatively inits bearings. The reel is held between two arms M, M, as shown in Fig.3, and preferably the pivot pins are formed with shoulders 29, 10 whichabut the sides of the arms to prevent side play. in the bearings. Eacharm 1W1 is formed with bearings on both of its opposite sides so that areel can be held between each two arms of the series arranged along thelength of the machine. The two bearing sockets m m of each arm areseparated by a web portion m of the arm, and leading up to each socketis a curved flange or lip m An oppositely curved flange m leads downinto the socket m" from above. These flanges provide guide-ways fordirecting the trunnions 7) into their bearings. The operator has only tocarry the reel into position between the upper ends of the arms untilthe trunnions strike these guides when fur ther movement of the reelwill be directed to seat the trunnions in the sockets.

To start the rotation of the reel and control its speed I make use of anovel arrangement of mechanism, the preferred form of which is nowdescribed: The ends of the hub 0 of the reel are formed with portions 00 which are preferably covered with metal caps and serve as brakedrum onwhich the braking element acts to control the rotation of the reel. Thebraking means consists of av flexible, friction band or strap '15 whichmay be constructed of leather, fabric, thin steel, or other suitablematerial. @ne end of the band is secured to the end of a coiled springa, see Fig. 2, which is fastened to the end of a threaded stud Q}screwed into the end of a cylindrical casing 10 formed on, or securedto, the end of the arm M. The casing to in closes the spring a toprotect it from being hindered in its action and to prevent loose endsof the yarn from catching in it. The tension of the spring a can beadjusted by adjusting the stud w, and a check-nut 00 serves to lock thestud in its adjusted position. The opposite end of the band t is securedto an extension of an arm 2 which acts as a take-up element controlledby the tension of the delivering yarn y. The arm 2 is preferably formedof fiat, sheet metal, tempered to adapt it to bend as a spring element.One end of the arm is fastened to a cylindrical member or hub 3 which ispivoted on a stud 4t, screwed into a bearing on the arm M, and heldbetween a washer 5 and the boss 6 on the arm. An extension 7 of the arm2, also fastened to the hub 3, is bent in a curve at S and extends atsubstan tially right-angles to the main arm 2 to form an auxiliaryspring element. Projecting from the upper end of the arm M is a finger mformed with a lug m through which ex tends an adjusting-screw 9. The endof the spring extension 7 bears on the end of the screw 9 and byadjusting the screw the tension of the spring element can be regulatedas desired. The knurled head 10 on the screw 9 provides a convenientmeans for adjusting the screw with the fingers and a i I l check-nut 11is adapted to be set against the lug m to lock the screw from accidentalturning.

A V-shaped truss-like arm 12 is secured to the arm 2, projecting upwardtoward the brake-drum 0 of the supply-holder with one of its sides 13substantially perpendicular to the arm 2. This may be formed by bendingup a portion of the extension 7 and securing it to the main arm 2 at 14:by rivets or other suitable fastenings, or the arm 12 might be made in aseparate piece. A pin 15 driven into a boss on the arm M is adapted toc0ntact with the side 13 of the arm 12 and'serves as a stop to limit themovement of the arm 2 under the spring action of the extension 7. Theend of the band t is secured to the arm 12 by a clamp 16 held by a setscrew 17 which binds the band between the clamp and the arm. Byreleasing the set screw the clamp 16 can be adjusted along the arm 12 tovary its point of connection with the arm and regulate the operativelength of the band 2/. At the lower end of the arm 2 is a cross-arm 18,which may be either formed by bending out the arm 2 at right angles tothe main portion or by riveting on a separate piece, as shown in Fig. 3.The crossarm 18 has its end bent to form a loop 19 through which theyarn y leads from the skein S, see Figs. 2 and 3. From the loop 19 theyarn leads down to a springarm 2O fastened to the frame of the machine Aand having a pigtail 21 attached to its upper end through which the yarndraws, and thence it leads direct to the thread-guide (Z of the machine.The arm 20 provides an auxiliary yielding element to relieve the strainon the yarn when the latter is taken up with a sudden pull in startingthe machine.

The arm 2 and its several extensions might be constructed of round wirebent in the form required; but the particular method of constructing itof flat stock, as described above, is the preferable form of structure,since it provides an element which is rigid enough to prevent side playbut at the same time is adapted to play up and down to follow theinequalities in tension of the delivering yarn.

The mode of operation of the above described device is as follows: Theoperator removes the empty swift or reel 0 from its bearings in the armsM, M and places the skein S upon it by stretching the latter over thebands 0 0 etc, these being adjusted on the spokes of the reel to keepthe coils of the skein taut. The reel is then placed in its bearings bycarrying the trunnions p, p on its hubs against the guiding flanges onthe arms M, M which guide the trunnions into the sockets m m As the reelis carried into position in its bearings the brake-drum 0 at one end ofthe hub of the reel will be carried under the brake-band t and the latter will be held in frictional contact with the drum by the spring a.The hub 0 of the reel being formed with brake-drums at both endsprovides for using the reel either way in its bearings so that when theoperator applies the skein it is not required to use care in placing theskein to unwind in a certain direction. hen the reel is placed in itsbearings, however, it is so arranged that the free end of the skein willlead from the back end, as shown in Fig. 1. The loose end is then drawndown through the loop 19 on the cross-arm at the end of the arm 2, thisloop being offset from the main arm 2 so that the yarn will not chafe onthe edge of the latter. The yarn is then carried down through theauxiliary-guide 21 and thence to the winding spindle 0 of the machineand through the thread-guide (Z. The winding machine is neXt started tooperate and as the winding spindle takes up the yarn the spring arms 20and 2 will yield slightly to relieve the sudden pull on the skein, asshown by dotted lines in Fig. 1. The arm 2 being longer than itsextension 7 is resilient enough to bend slightly without bending thespring element 7 and under normal tension of the yarn when the reel isrotating, only the arm 2 and arm 20 will yield. Before the reel beginsto rotate, however, the sudden draft on the yarn at the start of thewinding will cause the whole arm 2 to move bodily, as shown in Fig. 2,against the tension of the spring member 7. This bodily movement of thearm 2 moves the arm 12 downward and draws down the band i against thetension of its spring a. This movement of the band 2 which draws overthe brake-drum on the hub of the reel is communicated to the drum tostart the rotation of the reel. In other words, when the arm 2 iscarried bodily downward by the pull of the yarn it pulls on the end ofthe band t which through its wrapping effect on the hub of the reelserves to impart a rotary motion to the latter. In this way the inertiaof the reel is overcome and the rotation of the reel is initiatedautomatically through positive means instead of depending on the directpull of the yarn to start it turning. This action of the device is theessential feature of my invention and is an important improvement in theart. Heretofore, where attempts have been made to deliver yarn. fromskeins or heavy spools the chief ditiiculty has been in overcoming theinertia of the mass of the supply-holder in starting its rotation. .Vithmy new arrangement the rotation of the supply-holder is started by themovement of the arm 2. In the same way, when the supply-holder isrunning, if the yarn catches or tangles in the skein the resistance toits delivery will cause the arm 2 to move downward under the effect ofthe extra tension on the yarn and this downward movement will pull thebrake-band down and rotate the supplyholder ahead to free the yarn fromits hindrance in the skein. When the abnormal resistence to delivery ofthe yarn is relieved the arm 2 swings back into its normal position withthe portion 13 against the stop 15 and with the elements in thisposition the brake-band is held by the spring a with a slight frictionalcontact on the drum 0 As the arm 2 moves back the band if is drawn backby the tension of the spring a and this action serves as a brakingeffect to slow down the rotation of the supply holder to its normalspeed. The spring a is adjusted to give a contact of the brake-bandwhich allows the supply-holder to rotate freely under the impulse of thedraft on the yarn but suflicient braking force is exerted by the band toprevent a too free rotation which would cause overruns and tangling ofthe yarn. By means of this arrangement the tension of delivery can beadjusted as required for heavy or light yarns and, furthermore, anyabnormal resistance to delivery is compensated for by the action of thearm 2 in giving an added impulse to the rotation of the supply-holderthrough the positive mechanical devices described. In addition to this,the acceleration of speed of the sup ply-holder is also checked by theretraction of the brake-band when the resistance to delivery is relievedso that a smooth even delivery is provided for without check orhindrance under influence of the yarn catching or dragging in the skein.

In Fig. 4t 1 have shown an alternative arrangement of the controllingmechanism for the supply-holder. As before stated, my device is adaptedfor other forms of supplyholders besides the reel shown in the drawings.For instance, it might be applied for use with warp-beams or spools andwhere a relatively heavy spool is employed it has been foundadvantageous to make the rotating means for the supply-holder morepositive. To provide for this I make use of the ratchet-and-pawlarrangement now described.

Referring to Fig. 4, the spool, beam or other supply-holder in thisinstance carries a. ratchet-wheel 27 in addition to the brakedrum 0Securedv to the arm 12 of the controlling arm 2 at 28 is a spring pawl29 having its opposite end bearing on a pin 30 driven into the arm M. Anabutment or toe 31 on the pawl 29 is adapted to engage the teeth of theratchet 27. Normally the too 31 is beyond the range of the ratchetwheelwith the pawl held back against its spring action by its extremitybearing on the pin 30. When the arm 2 is rock-ed or swung downward underabnormal tension on the yarn the toe 31 will come into engagement withthe teeth of the ratchet wheel 27 and the latter will be rotated therebyto rotate the supply-holder for the purpose heretofore described. Thesame arrangei'nent of brake-band If is here used for applying aresisting force to the rotation of the supplyholder, as beforedescribed, except that suspended weights 32 are substituted for thespring attached to the end of the band I In Fig. 5 I have shown stillanother modification of the rotative means for the supplyholder. In thistype of device the spool is shown supported to rotate on a stationaryspindle, such, for instance, as the rod 25 held in bearings on the armsM by the set screw 26. As here illustrated, the arm 2 has an extension3% which is formed with an arc-shaped portion 35 positioned adjacent theperiphery of the brake-drun'i 0. The portion 35 of the extension 3 L isprovided with a friction element 36 adapted to contact with the face ofthe brake-drun'i and this element is preferably made adjustable towardand away from the drum through the following arrangement: A thin metalstrap 37 is rivet-ed to the member 34L at 38 and at its opposite end astud or rivet 39 extends from the strap through a longitudinal slot 40in the member 35. A thumb-screw ll is screwed through a bearing piece 42secured to the member 34 with its end bearing on the under side of thestrap 37. The friction element 36, which may be of any suitable flexiblematerial, such as leather, fiber, or rough fabric, is secured to theface of the strap 37 and when the thun'ib-screw ll is turned the strapis adjusted toward or away from the brake-drun'i to regulate the amountof contact of the friction element 36 with the peripheral face of thedrum. The rivet 39 slides in the slot 40 to allow the movement of thestrap 37 under action of the screw 41. The arm 2 is limited in itsmovement under action of the spring 7 by the lug 44 and movement in theopposite direction is limited by the lug +t5, both lugs adapted tocontact with the side 46 of the extension 34 and being preferably formedas parts of the arm M. The operation of this form of device issubstantially the same as that of the ar rangement first described: Whenthe arm 2 moves downward under the effect of abnormal tension on theyarn the friction element 36 will be drawn along the peripheral sur faceof the brake-drum 0 to impart a ro tative impulse to the supply-holder,and when the excessive tension on the yarn is relieved the arm 2 willmove upward again, under influence of the spring member 7, to check theincreased speed of the supplyholder. The friction element 36 is adjustedto give the proper contact on the brakedrum to regulate the turning ofthe supplyholder under normal conditions so that the latter will notrotate too freely.

I am aware that braking devices for regulating the rotative speed ofspools, reels and other supply-holders have long been used and are wellknown in the art; but previous to my present disclosure no means havebeen provided for positively rotating the supplyholder ahead at thestart of the unwinding of the yarn and at times when an abnormalresistance to delivery is encountered. The arrangement for effectingthis latter result is the principal feature of my invention and is ameritorious improvement in devices of this class. Heretofore, it hasbeen practically impossible to deliver fine yarn from reels or heavyspools at high speed because the sudden draft at the start of deliverywould break the yarn before the inertia of the supply-holder could beovercome; and when any abnormal resistance to delivery was encounteredduring the rotation of the supply-holder the speed of rotation could notbe accelerated fast enough by the pull on the yarn to relieve thishindrance to delivery.

My invention is particularly adapted for use with the class of windingmachine here shown, because, in winding on the tapered nose of a bobbinthe lineal speed of the yarn varies considerably between the points ofgreatest and least diameter. Hy improved device compensates for thesefluctuations in of the supply-holder to deliver the yarn at the requiredrate and with a uniform tension. The device is not limited solely to theuse described, however, as it might be applied for use with any form ofwound up supply such as spools or reels of tape, wire, or otherattenuated material.

Various modifications, besides those shown, might be made in thestructure and arrangement of the parts of the mechanism which would comewithin the scope of my invention, therefore, without limiting myself tothe exact form specified,

lVhat I claim is 1. In a device for controlling the unwinding of yarn,the combination with a rotatable supply-holder, of a take-up armcontrolled by the delivering yarn, and means connecting said arm withthe supply-holder to impart a positive rotative impulse to the latterwhen the arm is moved by the draft on the yarn.

2. In a device for controlling the unwinding of yarn, the combinationwith a rotatable supply-holder, of an arm controlled by the tension ofthe delivering yarn, and means on said arm to control the rotation ofthe supply-holder, said means adapted to impart a rotative impulse tothe supplyholder when the arm is moved under the effect of abnormaltension on the yarn.

3. In a device for controlling the delivery of yarn from a rotatingsupply, the combi- 1 nation with the supply-holder, of a movable daft011 the yarn and regulates the turning v element controlled by thetension of the delivering yarn, and means on said element whereby itsmovement in one direction imparts a rotative impulse to thesupplyholder, and its movement in the opposite direction exerts abraking effect 011 the supplyholder to check the rotation of the latter.

4:. In a device for controlling the delivery of yarn from a rotatingsupply, the combination with a rotatable supply-holder having abrake-drum, of a movable arm controlled by the tension of the deliveringyarn, means connected with said arm and adapted to contact with thebrake-drum to cause resistance to the rotation of the supply-holder,said means adapted to be moved by the arm to impart a rotative impulseto the supplyholder. 1

In a device for controlling the delivery of yarn from a rotating supply,the combination with a rotatable supply-holder, of a brake-drum on saidsupply-holder, a movable element actuated by the tension of thedelivering yarn, and friction means operated by said element to contactwith the brake-drum to check the rotation of the supply-holder whenmoved in one direction and to impart an impulse to rotation to thesupply-holder when moved in the opposite direction.

6. In a device of the class specified, the combination with a rotatablesupply-holder, of a braking element on said supply-holder, means tocontact with said element to check the rotation of the supply-holder anddevices to operate said means to apply a rotative impulse to thesupply-holder to unwind the supply.

'7. The combination with a rotatable supply-holder, of a movable elementcontrolled by the draft on the yarn, and means actuated by said elementto imparta rotary impulse to the supply-holder to unwind the yarn.

S. The combination with a rotatable supply-holder, of means operated bythe running yarn and controlled by the draft of the yarn to impart arotary impulse to the supplyholder to unwind the yarn.

9. The combination with a rotatable su-pply-holder, of a brake-drum onthe supplyholder. a friction element engaging said brake-drum, and apivoted arm arranged to move the friction element to impart a rotativeimpulse to the supply-holder and to normally maintain said element incontact with the brake-drum to cause resistance to the rotation of thesupply-holder.

10. The combination with a rotatable supply-holder, of a brake-drum onthe supply holder, a friction band engaging the periphery of the drum,means to hold one end of the band under resilient tension and means tomove the band bodily around the drum to impart an impulse of rotation tothe supply-holder to unwind the supply.

11. The combination with a rotatable supply-h0lder, of a brake-drum onthe supplyholder, a friction element engaging the periphery of the drum,resilient means to hold said element against the drum, and means to movethe friction element in the direction of rotation of the supply-holderto impart an impulse of rotation to the latter.

12. T 1e combination in a controlling device for regulating theunwinding of yarn, with a rotatable supply-holder, of a brakedrum on thesupplyholder, a friction band arranged to wrap around the periphery ofthe brake-drum, a spring to hold one end of the band, a pivoted armconnected to the opposite end of the band, and-means to limit themovement of the arm in one direction to retain the band in contact withthe drum under tension of its spring, said arm controlled by the tensionof the yarn and adapted to be moved in the opposite direction to movethe band to impart a rotative impulse to the supply-holder.

13. In a device for controlling the unwinding of yarn, the combinationof a rotatable supply-holder, a brake-drum rotatable with thesupply-holder, a friction band engaging the periphery of the drum,resilient means to hold one end of the band, a pivoted arm connected tothe opposite end of the band, resilient means to resist the movement ofthe arm in one direction and a stop to limit the movement of the armunder influence of said means.

1a. In a device for controlling the un winding of yarn, the combinationof a rotatable supply-holder, a. brake-drum rotatable with thesupply-holder, a brake-band engaging said drum, resilient meansconnected with one end of the band, a pivoted arm 2 adapted to be movedunder influence of the delivering yarn and connected to the brakeband, aspring to control the movement of the arm and means to adjust thetension of said spring.

15. In a device for controlling the unwinding of yarn, the combinationwith a rotatable supply-holder, of a brake-drum rotatable with thesupply-holder, a friction band engaging the periphery of the brake-drum,resilient means for holding one end of the band, devices to adjust thetension of said means, a pivoted arm adapted to be swung under action ofthe delivering yarn, a spring to resist the swinging movement of thearm, and means to adjustably secure the opposite end of the band to thearm to regulate the frictional contact of the band on the brakedrum.

16. The combination of a rotatable supply-holder, a brake-drum rotatablewith the supply-holder, a friction band engaging the periphery of thedrum, means to hold one end of the band under tension, a spring arm 2formed of fiat metal, an extension 7 on Said arm bent to form a springelement, an arm 12 projecting substantially perpendicu larly from thearm 2, and a clamp to adjustably secure the end of the band to the arml2.

17. The combination with the arms M formed with pockets m on either sideand curved guiding flanges leading to said pockets, of a supply-holderhaving trunnions p fitted to said pockets and brake-drums 0 and meanscarried on the arms for engaging one of the brake-drums to control therotation of the supply-holder.

18. The combination with the arms M formed with bearings, of asupply-holder adapted to rotate in said bearings, brakedrums on saidsupply-holder, a brake-band for engaging the periphery of the brakedrum,a spring to hold one end of the band, and means to adjustably secure thespring to the arm M consisting of a tubular casing on said arm, and astud screwed into the end of the casing and fastened to the spring.

19. A controlling member for regulating the braking mechanism ofunwinding devices, comprising an arm 2 of flat spring metal having ayarn guide at one end and a hub at the opposite end, an extension 7 ofsaid arm-secured to the hub and bent at substantially right angles tothe arm 2 to form a spring element, and a V-shaped truss-like arm 12projecting from the arm 2.

20. The combination in a controlling device for supply-holders, with arotatable reel 0 having trunnions j) and brake-drums 0 arms M havingsockets to receive said trunnions, a cylindrical casing w at the end ofone of the arms, a coiled spring secured to one end of the casing, aflexible band t fastened to said spring and adapted to engage theperiphery of the brake-drum, a spring arm 2 pivoted on the arm M- andformed with an arm 12 to which one end of the band 6' is secured, and aspring element between the arm 2 and the arm M to control the movementof the arm 2.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CLAES RYDEN.

lVitnesses:

ARTHUR I. HARVEY, GRACE \V. BROWN.

